Today in Soap Opera History (December 26)

1966: SFT's Joanne and Stu celebrated Christmas with family and
friends. 1986: In the final scene of Search for Tomorrow,
Stu asked, "What is it, Jo? What is it you're searching for?"
Jo's reply: "Tomorrow. And I can't wait."

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: After being canceled by the network, NBC Radio aired what was intended to be the final episode of radio soap opera The Guiding Light. The network received 75,000 protest letters and the show returned 11 weeks later on March 16, 1942, running for four and a half more years on NBC Radio before being canceled again. CBS Radio picked up the show in 1947 and the series ran on radio and television (starting in 1952) until 2009.

Note: There are conflicting sources about whether this was truly The Guiding Light's first time leaving the air. Some suggest it was off for a time during its second season as well.

1952: The final episode of Big Sister aired on CBS Radio.

1966: On Another World, Sam Groom debuted as Russ Matthews. Russ returned to Bay City to do his internship at Memorial Hospital.

1986: On Guiding Light, Nick continued to work his Christmas magic in Springfield.

1986: The final episode of Search for Tomorrow aired after a more than 35 year run on CBS (1951-1982) and NBC (1982-1986). Read Nelson Aspen's take on the end of SFT here. Watched the beloved final scene between Stu and Jo below.

1986: On As the World Turns, Craig (Scott Bryce) asked Iva (Lisa Brown) to marry him.

1994: Actor Robert Emhardt, the original Mackenzie Cory on Another World, died at age 80.

2000: On As the World Turns, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), Kim (Kathryn Hays), Bob (Don Hastings) and Nancy (Helen Wagner) weren't really in the Christmas spirit until Chris surprised them with Penny's (Rosemary Prinz) arrival. Over at Tom and Margo's house, Lyla (Anne Sward) returned for a visit to talk Katie (Terri Conn) out of her sham marriage to Simon (Paul Leyden).

2006: Phillip Jeanmarie debuted as Vincent Clarkson on Passions.

2007: On Days of our Lives, Alice (Frances Reid) remembered Tom (Macdonald Carey) at Christmas. In the final scene ever taped by Reid, she hugged a picture of her late husband and said, "Merry Christmas, Tom."

2008: On General Hospital, Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) walked Robin (Kimberly McCullough) down the aisle during her wedding to Patrick (Jason Thompson).